Medical Airmen complete toxic agent training with Homeland Security

The health service staff with the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Medical Group have successfully completed real toxic chemical agent training at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama, US.

The participated airmen form part of the 182nd Airlift Wing’s CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Packages (CERFP) unit, which is a team of Illinois National Guard Airmen and soldiers responsible for locating and rescuing victims in contaminated locations.

During the training session, airmen were laid in a room with live toxins such as nerve agents VX and sarin, in addition to the biological agents anthrax and ricin.

The courses offered as part of the training session were a blend of classroom teaching with tabletop exercises and hands-on practise through detection gear and other personal protection equipment.

The airmen were also tasked with triage, shift and clean up patients, followed by detection of radiological debris from a dirty bomb.

According to the participants, the training session allowed them to prepare for responding to natural disasters and terrorist operations involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive agents.

Further, responders were also able to gain skills and confidence to effectively deal with local incidents and events involving mass destruction weapons.

US Air Force Master Sergeant Tim Swearingen said that the incident command course allows the airmen to see what all happens before they are called upon.

"Interaction with civilian agencies and knowing what they need allows us to adjust our response," Swearingen said.

"We have to be easily integrated into the civilian incident command system and talk the same language."

Image: Emergency response personnel checking for radiological activity during the training session at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Crossley.